It is important to regularly clean your pool table in order to keep it looking new. This will keep your pool table in great shape and make it much more fun to play on. The best way to achieve this is with a brush.
Your local billiards supply retailer will have brushes that are specifically made for cleaning felt pool table surfaces. These brushes are gentle for the felt and remove dust as well as lint. A regular household brush can be used instead if you don’t wish to spend too much. It is important to not use too many forceful strokes, as this can damage the surface.
A steamer is an alternative option for cleaning the pool table surface. While steamers can remove stains from felt, they can also set them. Natural stain removers can be applied to the felt using equal parts of water, white vinegar, or a mixture of both. But you'll want to be sure to allow the stain to dry before playing on it.
Regular felt is stronger than pool table felt so be careful not to ruin it. The average recreational player should clean their table at least once per week. A more frequent cleaning schedule is recommended for more serious players.
The next step after you have removed any stains is to clean the pockets. Before you start working with felt, it is a good idea vacuum the rails and pockets. When you clean them, you'll need a damp cloth, a soft cloth, and a vacuum crevice tool.
To remove stains, you should use a soft, lint-free cloth. Avoid using paper towels. These can trap fibers that could be left on your felt.
Spray-on solutions are also available. They will work better to remove stains. Some of these products are available at your local department store or online. They can be substituted for products found in your billiards supplies store.
After applying the cleaning solution to your felt, you can wipe it off with a damp, clean cloth. Don't rub the stains, however. Light strokes are best to ensure that the felt doesn’t get stretched.
You'll want to give the felt on your pool table a few minutes to air out. During this time, you should avoid drinking near the table, smoking, or placing ash trays on the rails. Chalk marks are also not a good idea.
After cleaning the table, the cues can be stored in the cue rack/cue stand. You shouldn't store them in extreme temperatures or in places where the moisture can cause them to rot.
You will also need to clean the balls. This is a common task, but be careful. Some home-based cleaning products can damage the felt because they are designed to remove stubborn grime. A specialized cleaner can also be used to protect the felt.